I Got My Lights, I've Got My Sand Now Comes The Co2

[chameleongeekgrl]

Alrighty here's an update on my tank. My 55 Gallon is now substrated. I didn't know about eco-complete so the top half is laterite,flourite mixed with rocky sand. This section is blocked of by sheets of acrylic to a bottom half that is Eco-complete. (it'll have a layered look to it... I hope)

My lights are 260 watt. They have three switches so I can either have 2, 4 and the moonlight on depending my lighting needs. So I'm hoping I can get some of them red and light green plants and they will grow okay.

So now the CO2, no one at my LFS knows much about them so I've decided with your guy's help I can order one on-line. This is one I found and was wondering if any one knows much about it. Also it says it can be used up to 125 gallons which would techincally mean 75 . This tank will probably be heavily planted would this provide enough CO2?

http/cgi.ebay.com/CO2-reactor-M-by-AquaM...1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks again, i'll get pictures as soon as I get it filled with water.

 

[handsomeboy]

why would u get eco-complete, and then cover it up so plants dont grow into it?

that co2 generator on ebay looks funky. are you supposed to put yeast and sugar water solution into it or something?

 

[netcode]

My lights are 260 watt. They have three switches so I can either have 2, 4 and the moonlight on depending my lighting needs. So I'm hoping I can get some of them red and light green plants and they will grow okay.

Do you have pictures? I would like to see how you wired this up.

 

[Themuleous]

Is it me or is that a very strange CO2 kit? Where does the CO2 come from? It looks to me that the CO2 gets pumped into it and all that kit does is to mix it with water to dissolve it and a $50 that's an expensive bit of kit! This diffuser would do just as good a job and is loads cheaper! Although this kit only works on pressurised CO2.

For your tank chameleongeekgrl I would look at getting a pressurized kit, some thing like this one. But keep an eye on eBay these kits are always being sold. Or get a new one if you have the money.

Just out of interest, when you say you put acrylic on top of the EC what do you mean? A sheet of acrylic or mesh? If its a sheet I think you might want to remove it. More than anything the plants wont be able to use the EC and you'll probably find it becomes stagnant and anaerobic which wont be very good for the tank; plants and fish.

Sam

 

[chameleongeekgrl]

Oh sorry I guess I've confused everyone.

I ca't post pictures as it's 6:00 in the morning and I need to get to work. but basically what it is I built up a wall using slate and acryrllic to hold the substrate in and filled it with laterite and flurite mixed with sand to fill it up. Then When I discovered eco-completem I used that to fill everywhere the wall isn't. Ugh, Yeah I think i'm dojng a even worst job of exlaining. I'll take piccies later to show you. Don't be concerned thouigh Hopefully it's under conrol.

I'll also take a look at the presserized CO2. Thanks see ya later...

 

[pseud]

That reactor is for a pressurized CO2 system. (I guess you could try it with a DIY kit, but if you're going the DIY CO2 route then you wouldn't need something so expensive and technical. A glass diffusor would suffice, as suggested.)

 

[chameleongeekgrl]

Holy Moly if I got the "5lb co2 tank for calcium reactor" That Themuleous mentioned would everyone help me set it up. I'm very very VERY new to this. So the CO2 tank is that all I would need for my aquarium or would I need to buy a diffuser to? About how long would that last with a heavily planted tank? Where would I get it refilled at when it's empty? I will buy it I just need to know the basics on it so i don't blow my hand off. Also I've heard my brother talking about a CO2 tank for his vehicle would this work the same? He has one laying around and I'd rather just take his then buty one.

Thanks

 

[craynerd]

Hi,

To get Co2 in your tank you need to a) have a source of CO2 and B) deliver the CO2 into the water.

There are a few ways of doing both.

TO get a source of CO2 you could use a CO2 pressurised canister/bottle or you can use a bottle with yeast and sugar. The yeast and sugar mix and produce carbon dioxide which you pipe into the tank. This is a very simple method but as you can imagine CO2 production is unstable and at low volumes/concentration.
For bigger tanks it is by far better to use a pressurised system, you can supply more CO2 and have greater control of its release.

To diffuse the CO2 into the water, you can simply put the CO2 into the filter, which works well. Most of use tend to use a diffuser, which forces the CO2 into tiny bubbles by pushing it through a ceramic disk.

BUDGET is your main problem. PRessurised is by far your prefered method, it`ll probably cost you £130 for a ready to use kit or £70 for a DIY kit i.e by the bits seperate, but with some times lots of hastle.

Yeast and Sugar mix method will cost you about £3 for a 2l coke bottle and some tubing, then diffuse the CO2 directly into the filter. Or you can buy yeast kits for about £20.
Your tank is large so i don`t think yeast method is ideal. Especially since you have decent lighting and substrate....i`d spend the money and go the whole hog!

Hope that helps, gotta go watch the second half of lost now!

Chris

 

[chameleongeekgrl]

Thanks craynerd that clears alot up. so I now know pressurized is the best way for me to go. Will any old pressurized co2 canister do or do I need to buy one specially made for aquariums? I know the hospital where I work has pressurized co2 same with a car shop. So for those who were wondering what i'm up to with my complcated tank I gots some piccies for you all. The first one is a basic idea of what i want with alot more plants. (I know i't's sad i'm that bad at painting when I'm in school for illistration ) The Java moss will hopefully grow into the cracks and sand somewhat to help hold it all together. Thats what the green fuzz is.

Second one is a closer view of the rockwork. You can't reallt tell because I've got it filled with water a little but where the while line is like the "bottom of the cliff" and above is rockwork that holds back the flourite and laterite/sand mix.

Third is I belive the moonlight that came with the lights

Fourth is the three seperate switches that control the lights. So I can have 2 lights on, 4 lights on, 2 lights plus moonlight, or 4 lights plus the moonlight. It also has three seperate powercords so i'm gonna throw them bad boys on a timer.

last is the whole thing and my foot. total of 260 watts and a big pain in my derriere!!!

Thanks craynerd that clears alot up. so I now know pressurized is the best way for me to go. Will any old pressurized co2 canister do or do I need to buy one specially made for aquariums? I know the hospital where I work has pressurized co2 same with a car shop. So for those who were wondering what i'm up to with my complcated tank I gots some piccies for you all. The first one is a basic idea of what i want with alot more plants. (I know i't's sad i'm that bad at painting when I'm in school for illistration ) The Java moss will hopefully grow into the cracks and sand somewhat to help hold it all together. Thats what the green fuzz is.

Second one is a closer view of the rockwork. You can't reallt tell because I've got it filled with water a little but where the while line is like the "bottom of the cliff" and above is rockwork that holds back the flourite and laterite/sand mix.

Third is I belive the moonlight that came with the lights

Fourth is the three seperate switches that control the lights. So I can have 2 lights on, 4 lights on, 2 lights plus moonlight, or 4 lights plus the moonlight. It also has three seperate powercords so i'm gonna throw them bad boys on a timer.

last is the whole thing and my foot. total of 260 watts and a big pain in my derriere!!!

Okay 1st one

2nd

I don't know what this things doing

I'm not sure what i'm doing with this compuetr

So anyways, don't ask what I'm typing or doing but these are the pictures a little out of order. LOL

 

[ridewake210]

Very Nice Light!!!

cant wait to see ur tank up and running

 

[craynerd]

chameleon – In a pressurised CO2 bottle, the CO2 is at a HUGE pressure. In fact, I think the pressure is so great that it remains in liquid form.
When you open the tap on the bottle CO2 spurts out at a tremendous pressure and speed! Now for our tanks we only want CO2 bubbling out at 1-6 bubbles per second. So we have the problem of slowing the CO2 release down.

To do this we use a regulator. This regulates the CO2 coming out of the bottle. WE ALSO use a needle valve, which is an additional measure of flow control. It allows you to finely adjust the CO2 coming out of the bottle, since the pressure of the CO2 is so great, not even the regulator is specific enough on its own.

Your problem is fitting the regulator on a bottle. That’s why i said, DIY pressurized CO2 is cheaper but can be a right pain in the bum.

Zig posted an article on here about using a CO2 fire extinguisher! What a great idea! I personally use a 10kg CO2 canister used for carbonating drinks at pubs. Very easy to get hold of, just look at yell.co.uk and type in CO2 gas (suppliers), there will certainly be someone in your area.

For a regulator you could use something like i do, a Mig Welding regulator or ebay sell quite a few specific to aquarium hobbyists. BUT when you get it home is it going to fit onto your bottle??

I`ll find a few links of bits and bobs and then hopefully it will build a better understanding of the bits you need. When doing it DIY, you have to understand the bits are not built to be necessarily used together, that’s why fitting them is sometimes a little difficult.


Good luck and remember:
High pressure CO2 or gas of any sort is something that you need to handle with care.

Chris


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Regulator from ebay: this includes a solinoid which is why it is a little more expensive. The solinoid turns of the CO2 at time intervals you want it to. eg. during lights out when plants are not photosynethisisng

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Deluxe-Dual-gaug...bayphotohosting


CO2 regulator Mig Welding and a home brewer: That looks a wierd connection, you see i can`t even tell you if these things will fit together..its a bit hit and miss unless you know about the connections. I think Simon is very good on here, he helped me.

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-Harris-601...1QQcmdZViewItem

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/MIG-Gas-Regulator-2-...1QQcmdZViewItem

CO2 regulator FOR planted tank hobbyists:

http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...products_id=652

Fishvet needle valve:

http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...9815a70fb938b6e

FULL READY TO USE SETUP:

JBL Set 1 :

http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...products_id=246

 

[netcode]

sorry to jump in... but I loooooooooooove that light.

what are the dimensions? and where did you buy it? how much it cost?

that light is amazing!

 

[chameleongeekgrl]

Ahhh the light was $110 u.s., although you need to buy the bulbs seperate. They include some free ones but I believe they are made for saltwater. anyone know if 10000k is okay for a planted? The dimensions are 48" by something. LOL It came with stands so it sits above the aquarium. Personally I've had very good luck with the type of light. it's made by odessya. OSme people haven't so I'm hoping for good luck.

Craynerd- thanks again so much helpful information. Would you like to just come over and whip me up one. LOL J/K On my next paycheck I'm going to get one by then i should of asked enough questions to drive anyone crazy.

 

[Ginge]

For planted 1000k is a bit high and if they are all 1000k i would change atleast a couple of em you want about 6500k.

 

[IlliniGuy18]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a full CO2 regulator system that I can easily get here in the US? It seems that most of the ones posted earlier are the UK or Asia.

Thanks!